January 16, 2007

NSA, Microsoft Alliance Gives Rise to Privacy Fears

Microsoft Corp. and the National Security Agency confirmed last week that the intelligence agency helped the company configure Windows Vista so it meets the Pentagon’s security requirements. NSA spokesman Ken White said the agency has provided guidance on securing Windows XP and Windows 2000 in the past. But this is the first time the NSA has worked with Microsoft or any vendor prior to an operating system’s release, White added. But privacy advocates said it would be tempting for the NSA to push for a way to gain access to data stored on Vista-based systems.

NSA Helped Microsoft Set Security for Vista, Computerworld, January 15, 2007.